Owned by a Sinner (Sinners 2)

“Christ, no.” I glance at the time again, then say, “Switch everything off. Can I give you a ride home?”

“Ah… no, but thanks for offering.”

I wait for her to gather her bag, then press the button for the elevator. When the doors slide open, we step inside.

Kiara moves to the side, putting space between us, and when she sees I noticed, she smiles awkwardly. “Just making sure I don’t bump into you…” a cute expression flutters over her face, “again.”

Right. “You heard I don’t like being touched?”

She almost looks sad when she replies, “I can understand why. People are too handsy nowadays.”

“Sounds like you’ve experienced someone who doesn’t know how to keep their hands to themselves?” I don’t expect her to answer, but I hope she will.

I actually feel comfortable in the small space with her.

That’s new.

“Yeah.” She shrugs as the doors open, the action almost hopeless.

A weird emotion hits me square in the chest, and stepping into the lobby, I ask, “Is the person still a problem?”

Kiara hesitates but then shakes her head.

I open the exit door and wait for her to pass, a faint floral scent drifting from her.

She even smells beautiful.

Totally out of character, I say, “If the person gives you trouble again, I’m here if you need help.”

Her eyes meet mine, and again, it catches me off guard how striking their color is.

Nodding, she says, “Have a good night.”

“You too.”

I watch her walk toward the corner, and even though I have to get to the warehouse and stop by Jimmy’s place to check in on him, I stand and watch until she gets safely on a bus.

My thoughts are consumed with Kiara and what I learned about her. There’s obviously a fucker in her past who gave her a hard time, and it doesn’t escape my attention that it pisses me off.

It also doesn’t escape my attention that Kiara affects me like no one has before.

An eyebrow lifts as I head to the basement where my car is parked.

You’re interested in the woman.

The realization catches me totally off guard, never having felt anything for a woman before. Coming to a dead stop in the middle of the basement, I search deeper but can’t figure out what it is about her that has me feeling attracted to her.

Christ, this is weird.

Chapter 12

Kiara

After work, I first went to buy a couple of outfits before taking the bus to Dad’s neighborhood. Even though it’s almost nine o’clock, I need to check in on Dad before heading home.

When I walk into the house, it’s to find Dad in front of the TV. “Hey, Dad,” I say as I go to press a kiss on his forehead. “Did Kristine go home?”

“Yeah, but what are you doin’ out so late? You should be home,” he chastises me.

I set the bags down next to the couch and take a seat. “I just wanted to stop by and check in on you. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, lass.” Dad’s eyes scan over my face. “You look worn. Still workin’ at that damned place?”

My shoulders sag a little. “I’ve applied at other companies. As soon as I find something else, I’ll resign.”

Relief flickers in Dad’s eyes. “That’s good.”

A knock at the door has Dad’s head snapping toward it, then he gets up, his features turning grim. “Go hide, lass,” he whispers. “Hurry!”

“What?” I stand up, confused by Dad’s reaction.

He quickly gestures toward the kitchen. “Go hide! Go. Go. Go.”

I hurry to the kitchen, then shake my head, not understanding why I have to hide.

Then I hear Dad open the front door. “Liam? Somethin’ wrong?”

“No. I just wanted to check in on you.” Hearing Liam’s voice, surprise shudders through me, followed by the burst of warmth in my chest I’ve been doing my best to ignore since our conversation in the elevator.

How do Liam and my dad know each other?

“It’s late,” Dad mentions, his voice tight.

“You telling me to leave, old man?” There’s a familiarity to his tone you only have with close friends.

Frowning, I press against the wall next to the doorway, listening closely.

“Of course not.”

I hear them move into the living room, then Liam asks, “How are you feeling?”

“Better. Doc just needs to clear me for work.”

“Did you get the money?”

“Aye, but it’s too much.”

Liam lets out a chuckle. “Shut up and take it. And don’t fucking drink and gamble it away.”

“Aye.”

Money?

What’s going on here?

Liam clears his throat, then says, “The warehouse was hit by Sicilians.”

“What?” Dad gasps. “I thought we took care of them in Vancouver.”

“Not all of them. The remainder of them are trying to rebuild the Sicilian mafia.”

Mafia?

“Jesus H. Christ,” Dad grumbles.

“You still have that contact?” Liam asks.

“Tony? Yeah. You want me to check with him?”

“Yes. See what he can find out about the Sicilians. I need to take care of the problem before it gets out of hand.”